Introduction to the 2006 Electronic Government Track

After several years of incubation within the Emerging Technologies Track, the former cluster of minitracks dedicated to electronic Government (e-Government, e-Gov, digital government) has matured into a self-standing Electronic Government Track at HICSS39. During those past years of incubation, an ever increasing number of quality e-Government-related submissions to HICSS have greatly helped establish this track as a premier academic platform for researchers in the field. With 55% accepted submissions from outside the US, the HICSS-based e-Government Track (like the annual EGOV sub-conferences at DEXA or the NSF-sponsored dg.o. conferences) is a truly global academic event and has provided the young field with tremendous tailwind by accelerating the scholarly exchange. It has also structured and shaped the research agenda in bringing together different research traditions. The e-Gov research tradition further distinguishes itself from other fields by seemingly more readily exploring and employing truly inter- and multidisciplinary research designs. This gives the young field a unique flavor and importance within the academic spectrum.